Duterte: No generals in drug recycling

‘Albayalde has right to be heard’

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte clarified yesterday that no police general was mentioned in the report on illegal drugs submitted to him by security officials.

Speaking during a forum organized by a Russian think tank in Sochi last Friday, Duterte said two generals are “still playing” with illegal drugs as he justified his brutal crackdown on narcotics.

The President, however, corrected himself yesterday, blaming the confusion on his “ignorance” of police ranks.

“There are no generals. I’m sure of that. Based on the report sent to me, there is none. It’s colonel, I think,” the President told reporters in Davao City upon his arrival from Russia. “I must admit my ignorance actually.”

Duterte said he was confused by the rank of police superintendent, a term that he associates with school supervisors.

“That’s why during my time, I said you should go back to police colonel, police major, police lieutenant, because everyone is confused. That sup-sup, it stands for superintendent. In Bisaya, sup-sup is sucking – ice drops,” he said.

“So that’s quite confusing… I hope that the PNP (Philippine National Police) should realize that... Stop it. Stop it. We’re comfortable with the ways of the old. Do not introduce unnecessary changes. It’s confusing.”

Last February, Duterte signed a law modifying the rank classification of the PNP and making it similar to that of the military. Under the law, the ranks of police officers would be preceded by the word “police.”

Duterte insisted that his office could not just adopt the findings of the congressional investigation on the so-called “ninja cops.”

“I have to review it and if it’s correct, I would adopt it. But then, there must be a process. It has to undergo the procedural due process,” he said.

Duterte earlier warned the police officials that the only reason he would not go after them was if the plane he and his Cabinet members rode back to the country after the state visit in Russia crashed.

“Meron akong ninja ngayon, pag-uwi ko, talagang upakan ko itong p*tang in*ng pulis na ito,” Duterte said.

This threat from the President came as the PNP went under fire due to allegations of drug recycling within the force.

Duterte said it would be up to the interior department to handle the investigation. Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, in turn, said he will meet with members of the National Police Commission to determine the next actions to be taken against the ninja cops

‘Let Albayalde explain’

Senators and some sectors have already called for PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde’s resignation amid allegations that he intervened in the dismissal order of police officers accused of recycling prohibited narcotics during a raid in Mexico, Pampanga on Nov. 29, 2013 led by now-detained Maj. Rodney Baloyo.

But just like any accused, Albayalde also has the right to answer the allegations against him, Duterte said.

Duterte said he would not make a knee-jerk reaction to the issues hounding Albayalde, noting that even criminals enjoy presumption of innocence.

“You know, Albayalde is the PNP chief... Give me a clear proof that he was there on the take or was in the trafficking of drugs,” the President told reporters in Davao City upon his arrival from Russia.

“I could not just do it in a knee jerk. I have to follow procedural due process and allow him time to answer. The right to be heard. It’s given to the criminals, to the kidnappers. It should be given to a general of the Philippine National Police because under the laws, we are all equal,” he added.

Some sectors are calling for Albayalde’s resignation or early retirement after he was accused of protecting previous police subordinates allegedly involved in the recycling of illegal drugs. The police chief has denied intervening in the case of his former subordinates and has assured the public that the “ninja cops” controversy would not affect the campaign against narcotics.

Duterte said Secretary Año would story the ninja cops issue “very carefully.”

“It is now the burden of Secretary Año to investigate and he would submit the findings to me. I approve or disapprove with finality once it reaches my office,” he said.

Asked if Albayalde still enjoys his trust and confidence, Duterte replied: “Well, that he is still there. Otherwise, I would have you know just – I would have told him to just go out... Just give me proof because I am a lawyer.

“You know, there is a legal maxim which we have to follow. Guilt is personal. That’s the problem. That is why you have to hear before you condemn because guilt... It cannot be transferred from the lowest to the highest ranking or the highest ranking to the lowest unless there is a conspiracy which then the rule applicable is the act of one is the act of all,” he added.

Duterte said he has not picked the successor of Albayalde, who will retire from the service on Nov. 8.

“I have to – they call it vet. I have to consult everybody. Maya-maya madapa na naman tapos ako ang magkaroon ng problema (There might be lapses and I might have a problem,” he added.

The President also said it would be up to Baloyo, one of the policemen tagged in the recycling of illegal drugs, to seek legal remedies against his detention.

The Senate Blue Ribbon committee has cited Baloyo in contempt for allegedly lying about the details of a 2013 raid in Pampanga and is now detained in New Bilibid Prison.

“Well, that is his problem, not mine. Eh pumasok ka diyan. Mabuti’t buhay pa siya. G*** pala siya (He got himself involved. He is lucky to be alive. He is a fool),” Duterte said.

“That’s his problem. There are laws then he can always seek sanctuary in our laws. There’s always a relief somewhere. But if you say I should think for him, sorry, it’s not my job,” he added.

Drug war, police tarnished

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Sen. Panfilo Lacson also called for Albayalde’s resignation as the joint probe of the Senate Blue Ribbon and the justice and human rights committees got ready to release a partial or full report on illegal activities at the Bureau of Corrections and on ninja cops.

The senators said they believe that as long as erring cops plague the police force, the government will never succeed in its war on drugs.

Drilon said he believes Albayalde could retire from the PNP to restore some credibility on the police hierarchy and Duterte’s priority program against illegal drugs.

Although resignation is a personal decision, Lacson said Albayalde should refer to his conscience if he still deserves to stay in the top post of the PNP.

Drilon said there was no evidence to directly link Albayalde to operations of the ninja cops. – Edith Regalado, Christina Mendez, Emmanuel Tupas, Cecille Suerte Felipe